Canada's prime minister has promised that Russia's attack on Ukraine "will be met with severe consequences".

"Tomorrow morning, I will be meeting with G7 partners, and we will continue working closely and quickly with NATO and our allies to collectively respond to these reckless and dangerous acts, including by imposing significant sanctions in addition to those already announced," Trudeau said in a statement issued tonight (February 23).

He described that these "unprovoked actions are a clear further violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity". He also claimed that they are a violation of international law and the United Nations charter.

“In the face of these attacks on Ukraine, Canada will take additional action to stop Russia’s unwarranted aggression," he added. "We continue to stand with Ukraine, its people, and the Ukrainian Canadian community here in Canada. Russia’s brazen acts will not go unpunished.”

The Canadian government has advised Canadians to avoid all travel to Ukraine.

On February 22, Trudeau announced new sanctions, prohibiting Canadians from "engaging in specific transactions and activities" in Donetsk and Luhansk, which are under the control of Ukrainian separatists.

In addition, Canada has imposed restrictions on members of Russia's Duma who voted to recognize the independence of these two regions.